Are Kernel Panics Becoming More Common?

I've experienced at least six kernel panics since I got my new MacBook on Christmas. The only software that I've installed is iWork, Microsoft Office and 2004. It's a 2GHz MacBook with 1GB of RAM and an 80GB HD. During the times of the panics, I was doing basic, simple tasks such as surfing the web, listening to music etc. At most, I had two applications open at a time.

I searched around the forum for similar experiences and found a few. Some MacBook related, some not. They're all fairly recent too. Is this due to some kind of faulty software update?

That many Kernal Panics in a few days is deffiently not a good thing. I haven't had 6 kernel panics in 3 years. An have never had an on my new iMac. The first thing I would do is test your RAM. Download Remember from here http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/15837, set it to test ALL of your memory, and check the box to Quit All Applications, and Finder. Let that run overnight and see if there are any errors. If so take it back to Apple. If not perhaps there is something wrong with the factory install (I don't know how likely that is). You might want to try a re-install before you get everything set up, so it's not as much of a PIA.

I've experienced at least six kernel panics since I got my new MacBook on Christmas. The only software that I've installed is iWork, Microsoft Office and 2004. It's a 2GHz MacBook with 1GB of RAM and an 80GB HD. During the times of the panics, I was doing basic, simple tasks such as surfing the web, listening to music etc. At most, I had two applications open at a time.

I searched around the forum for similar experiences and found a few. Some MacBook related, some not. They're all fairly recent too. Is this due to some kind of faulty software update?

What should I do?

Thanks,
irain

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The only problem I had with my MBP, now about 6 weeks old, was repeated kernel panics at about 1 week. I tried everything, and finally took it into the MoM Apple Store. My Hardware Test showed everything was OK, the hardware testing by the Apple Genius showed the same, and the kernel panic logs didn't help the Genius either. He finally swapped out my 2GB ram for new modules, and all was well thereafter.

Why don't you turn off the Sudden Motion Sensor and see what happens. Everybody always talks about faulty RAM when it could be something like the SMS tripping out causing the system to lock up. I had that with my 12"PB and would panic with the slightest movement. I turned it off in the terminal and now I have no troubles at all.

Kernel panics? Only one I met was when I flubbed an OS upgrade on my iBook. The MacBook has been solid - even with the punishment I throw at it (Learning Cocoa -- can really tax the machine when you do stuff wrong).

Why don't you turn off the Sudden Motion Sensor and see what happens. Everybody always talks about faulty RAM when it could be something like the SMS tripping out causing the system to lock up. I had that with my 12"PB and would panic with the slightest movement. I turned it off in the terminal and now I have no troubles at all.

Kernel Panics are almost always related to bad hardware (although badly written or corrupted software can cause them too). Your machine is only a few days old. Take it back and have it fixed. I have been running OSX for years and have never seen a kernel panic. You should not be either. Best wishes.

I see more mention of Kernel panics (any relation to Kernel Sanders?) than in the past, but you have to remember how many more macs are being sold. When installed user base was about 17 machines, it wasn't likely that a kernel panic would occur, and if one did, the faithful would cover it up. Aww for the good old days when we only had the word virus, instead of the incredibly proliferating 47 mac viruses we have now... (and no, your kernel panics are not a virus).

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